Elevator Call Panel Floor Cancellation via Illumination Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator systems often confuse passengers with complex displays and call panels, leading to accidental or intentional incorrect floor destination selections, and lack a straightforward method for passengers to cancel previously selected destinations.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with a call panel and controller that enables a floor cancellation feature, allowing passengers to cancel their selections by switching the selected floor destination from illuminated to flashing and then de-illuminating it upon re-selection, with the controller operating between a cancellation permit and restricted state to manage this process based on events like time expiration or elevator movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current displays and call panels are used, then elevator control functionality is provided, but passenger confusion and incorrect floor destination selection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The call panel uses illumination changes to indicate selection state: selected floors are illuminated to confirm selection, and cancellation is achieved by re-selecting the illuminated floor which causes it to de-illuminate. This visual feedback mechanism eliminates confusion about selection status and enables easy cancellation without requiring separate cancel buttons or complex displays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex displays and call panels are used, then elevator control functionality is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The call panel uses the same floor selection buttons for both selecting destinations and canceling selections. When a floor is selected, it illuminates to indicate active selection; pressing the same button again cancels the selection by de-illuminating it. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cancel buttons or complex display interfaces while maintaining full elevator control functionality.
3Ease of operation
If floor cancellation is always permitted, then easy cancellation is achieved, but malicious cancellation attempts cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cancellation permission based on system state. The controller monitors elevator operation status and only permits cancellation when the elevator is stationary and ready to accept new commands. When the elevator is in motion or executing a command, cancellation is restricted. This dynamic control prevents malicious cancellation attempts while allowing legitimate changes when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback about the current state through illumination of selected floors and controller monitoring of cancellation requests. The controller evaluates whether cancellation should be permitted based on current operation status and provides appropriate feedback to the user interface. This feedback mechanism ensures that cancellation is only permitted when it will not interfere with ongoing elevator operations, preventing malicious attempts while maintaining ease of legitimate cancellation.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system includes an elevator car, a call panel, a controller, and a floor cancellation feature. The elevator car is adapted to travel in a hoistway defined by a building and between floors of the building. The call panel is located for passenger interaction, includes a plurality of floor selections, and communicates with the controller. The floor cancellation feature is associated with at least one of the call panel and the controller. The controller is configured to operate between a floor cancellation permit state and a floor cancellation restricted state, thereby respectively enabling and disabling the floor cancellation feature, and track at least one event associated with the floor cancellation restricted state.